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adolesence

The angst and elation of maturity are the heartbeats of mainstream cinema’s adolescence. Through several decades of teen comedies and horror films there is the consistent playing out of maturation through sexuality, violence (graphic or not), and familial independence. Often genres such as comedy and horror are in themselves perceived as “adolescent” in their form and content. So it is unsurprising—if not appropriate—that such films often find teenagers as their core characters.

“My Name is A by Anonymous” takes itself very seriously. And this “seriousness” is both the film’s curse and the best compliment I can give it. Directed and written by Shane Ryan, “My Name is A” presents an ere of sincerity and ambition that adeptly creates a keenly realized fragmented, lo-fi aesthetic in an effort to present a portrait of an angst ridden, troubled adolescent girl. And while Ryan creates some visually interesting moments these cannot help obscure the more glaring oversights and missteps we encounter.